The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1887-01-07
DYNAM MITE.
Written for the Dillon TRiBvNE,)
ARTICLE FIFTH.

The subject Of explosions is one of in.
interest to every one. A gentleman O,
scientific tendencies has recently advanced
| the theory that the dynamite explosions
on the Pacific coast have been mainly due Ia
electrical causes. Hehas noticed that nearl,
all of them have occurred either during
thunderstorms or when there was an un.
usual electrical disturbance Of the atmos.
phere. This remarkable theory was adj.
vanced in scientific society and provoked
considerable discussion. l, was after
wards published in its proceedings. While
most people who are versed in explosions
Will disagree with the author, he certainly
makes fair case. Unfortunately the i'm.
mediate causes Of most explosions IS lief,
wrapped in mystery. The men mos, cap
able OF giving reliable testimony are gener
ally killed outright.
The use Of dynamite in recent years by
the criminal classes has given it an unen
v'able reputation, but this form of assassin
alton Is good deal older than dynamite.
Way back in the fifties, Europe was star.
tied by Orsini's attempt to kill Napoleon
the Third in Paris, He is said to h,v.
used bomb filled *ith gun powder. Tn.
common fuse with which it was fitted
was lighted with match. This atte,nn,
was unsuccessful, though number Of in
"ocent people were killed. A few wears
agothe Car Of Russia was killed by III.
nihilists. The assassins used glass
globe filled with nitro. glycerine. On tn.
outside were studs fitted with percussion
caps.
It would naturally appear in the presen,
state OF the arts that a very little invention |
," the part OF the dynamiter, would p,o
luce a bomb certain in operation. deadly IN
meet and safe for the operator. Such
Toes not seem to be the case. In the celp.
'rated attempt to blow up the English
-t"uses Of Parliament the dynamiters !,
arge numbers carried slabs Of the cxplo.
i've about their persons in pockets mad.
pec'a''y tor the purpose, but their arrange.
'ent for firing consisted as usual Of = shor,
use 10 light this each man had small,
'ece OF metallic sodium which he was T.,
1t o" fire BY licking it with his tonp,.
common fuse is too difficult to li,h, :,
make any such plan feasible. The recon,
utrages in Chicago were committed h.
esperadoes who had organized themselves
MO dynamite corps and had repnl,,
r'''s !" the handling Of their Internal an.
''a"ces' These were brass or zinc bomhs
""'a'"'"g dynamite and Lifted as usual with
snort fuse and cap. The fuse was ,;uh,
d. and the operators counted one, two
"ee' TOUR, SO as to throw them after ~.
'pSe o. a regular interval. They explod
almost Immediately upon leayine IN.
and We learn with great satisfaction
nat some OF the fends were killed Will.
'ae'c'ns this diabolical drill.
England ct late years has suffered ,,,s,
'o'" dynamite ou,rages and scarcs and
Ct Ma)essvs inspectors Of explosives
ave had dangerous task in ferre,;ny ~,
tracking down the dynamit,r in hi.
mr. One Of the inspectors recently Told
number OF stories illustrating the deli;
''e nature OF his duties. The police ar.
7''e'' IN the heart OF Birmingham G.na |
work making nitro glycerine w;,h ~ =
>'ae"' view to mischief and the inspectors :;
ere sent tor to dispose Of the stuff. rh... i
''"a a large quantity Of impure nitro. ,,
''cer'"e in an advanced stage Of d.oo.'.
os"'o"' How to get it on, OF the c;,, '
''''oa' unnecessarily alarming the n.o,,, G.
10 WIZ" the least risk was the problem !
; was ''"'''y safely managed but observe. t;